Handling and Care of Animals in the Laboratory

Many students find that working with living and preserved animals is one of the
most interesting and beneficial aspects of their education.
Research with laboratory animals has led to important scientific advances in
physiology, genetics, behavior, nutrition, ecology, and other fields. Advances in
human medicine that are direct results of experimentation involving animals include
immunization against polio, diphtheria, measles, and other diseases; insulin
production and therapy; blood transfusions; chemotherapy; electrocardiography,
open-heart surgery, and artificial heart valves; organ transplantation; and kidney
dialysis.
Major advances in veterinary medicine resulting from experimentation with animals
include the development of vaccines for rabies, distemper, swine cholera, and
brucellosis; medication for dog heartworms; artificial insemination, in vitro
fertilization, and embryo transfer technology; methods for preserving endangered
species; and surgical techniques for hip replacement. These veterinary advances
have saved thousands of animal and human lives and have contributed greatly to
the human food supply and to the quality of life of farm and companion animals.
Students need to learn and practice proper methods to observe, handle, care for,
experiment with, and dissect laboratory animals. Consider the dilemma of a
neurosurgeon who has never observed, handled, or dissected an actual brain, but
who is about to do his or her first operation on a member of your family with a brain
tumor.
The handling and treatment of vertebrate animals is regulated by federal law under
the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, amended subsequently in 1970, 1976, 1985, and
1990. Additional regulations governing the use and care of laboratory animals have
been developed by the National Institutes of Health. Many individual states also
have laws governing animal use. Invertebrate animals are generally not covered
under these laws, but such animals should also be treated with care and respect as
living creatures. Rare and endangered species are protected by special laws and
may not be collected or used in laboratory studies except under special permits. All
teachers and researchers must be familiar with these federal and state regulations
and be responsible for using good judgment and for following appropriate
procedures for handling and experimenting with all animals
As a responsible citizen and a medical student , you should also handle living and
preserved animals with care and respect. When working with both vertebrate and
invertebrate animals, you should always take adequate precautions to avoid
causing unnecessary stress or discomfort to the animals due to your handling or
experimenting. Any animals kept in the laboratory must have a clean and
appropriate environment, including adequate ventilation, food, water, and regular
care. Be sure to follow the specific federal guidelines established for the care of

animals kept in the laboratory for the duration of an experiment. At the end of the
experiment, the animals must either be disposed of in an approved humane manner
or returned to a permanent animal care facility as directed by your instructor.
Some people oppose the use of animals in the laboratory either for training or
research because they believe it is unethical for humans to use animals in any way
that might be harmful or detrimental to the animals for the benefit of humans or
other animals. Appropriate usage of animals has been one of the most active
controversies in the United States and elsewhere during the past several years.
Such opponents of animal use seek to reduce or eliminate the use of animals in
teaching and research based on their convictions. They often cite alternatives to the
use of animals in research and testing, such as computer simulations, models, films
or videos, tissue culture, and in vitro chemical tests, as effective substitutes. While
many scientists agree that alternatives to the use of animals are effective in some
cases, no adequate alternatives are available in many other cases. Most scientists
agree that the rational use of animals for teaching and research continues to be
essential for the progress of human health and welfare. This position has been
endorsed by several prestigious scientific bodies, including the American Society of
Zoology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society of
Sigma Xi, the National Science Teachers Association, the National Association of
Biology Teachers, and several state academies of science.
The continuing controversy over the use of animals for teaching and research, as
well as the escalating costs of obtaining and caring for laboratory animals, has
already resulted in substantial reductions in the number of animals used for study
and in research and improvements in the care and handling of animals in the
laboratory. Concerns over the use of animals have also led to numerous
governmental regulations on the use and handling of animals in the laboratory.
Therefore, in addition to learning about the animals themselves, medical students
must also learn the rules and methods for the proper care and handling of the
animals.

Although there are significant species differences when handling and restraining a
laboratory animal, there are several important concepts that apply equally to all
species. These include:
Wear disposable gloves AND a clean laboratory coat or disposable gown.
make sure the animal knows your presence
be prepared before removing the animal from housing Use
animal cage should be avoided

an appropriate method. Overcrowding near the

Before restrain, first pet or sooth the animal by slow deliberate movements in the body Do select appropriate
restrained equipment for size and species

Handle animals gently but firmly. Dont hold animal too hard Never agitate the animal, it may become
violent for self protection. Noise should be kept as minimum

Approach an animal slowly but purposefully. Dont be nervous Dont make sudden movements
Do introduce the animal to the experiment device prior to the procedure

Always wash your hands prior to and after handling animals, as odors of other
species or blood is frequently distressing. Additionally, your hands can act as a
means of spreading infectious agents from one group of animals to another.